coordinating and promoting the development and use of alternatives to procedures including in the areas of basic and applied research and regulatory testing;

coordinating the validation of alternative approaches at Union level;

acting as a focal point for the exchange of information on the development of alternative approaches;

setting up, maintaining and managing public databases and information systems on alternative approaches and their state of development;

promoting dialogue between legislators, regulators, and all relevant stakeholders, in particular, industry, biomedical scientists, consumer organisations and animal-welfare groups, with a view to the development, validation, regulatory acceptance, international recognition, and application of alternative approaches.